Lightning Bolt Jump Break Cue

ABSTRACT

Using the materials and construction methods herein outlined, the Lightning Bolt Jump/Break cue is unequalled in the billiards industry for performance of two of the hardest billiard shots. The Lightning Bolt cue allows a basic beginning billiards player to execute these two shots equal to the most advanced student of the game and even equal to the capability of a professional level billiards player.

We begin construction of our jump break cue using the lightest woods possible; Basswood became our wood of choice. Our first step is to put the Basswood on a lathe and it down to 11.5 inches in length and shape it to be the jump handle section of our three-piece jump break cue. Final step of our first section it to mate the jump handle, this is the forward top of butt section, which directly attaches to the shaft via use of the first joint.

Our second section is the butt (the very bottom section of the two piece butt) is 17.5 inches length. Again, we use Basswood for this section. We attach this bottom section of the butt to the jump handle through the use of a second joint.

Total combined length of the two butt sections above is 29 inches and constitutes the main portion of the butt for our jump break billiard cue.

X-1 LimbSaver™ rubber bumper is standard 1 inch length and weighs 0.7 ounces. Using the X-1 allows us to generate more energy transfer from the butt of the cue through the tip of the shaft with the least amount of vibration.

Maple shaft with attached G-10 or G-11 glass epoxy ferrule/tip (Either hardness can be used but we've discovered the G-11 is harder and will allow quicker energy transfer). Thus, our preference for G-11 for the ferrule/tip of our Lightning Bolt jump break cue. Our Over-all length of 29.25 inches for the shaft includes the G-11 ferrule/tip. This is the third and final section of our three-piece jump/break cue.

Using either G-10 or G-11 glass epoxy for our ferrule/tip we keep the over-all length between 1.125 and 1.3 inches. Next we bore out the forward end of the shaft and attach a maple dowel rod for our tenon. Then we thread the tenon to assure a secure fit as described in the next paragraph.

Our Maple shaft has tenon, on the ferrule end is 0.75 inches in length. The tenon is then treaded. We then add a slit down the center length of the threaded tenon. This is done just before applying the glue for final assembly of this section. This slit is a vital part of the construction process, as it allows the epoxy to escape out the tenon, avoiding the possibility of an air pocket forming. It is imperative to not have an air pocket between the ferrule and tenon in order for these two components to withstand the energy exerted on them while jumping and breaking billiard balls with the cue.

The joint diameter is 0.8400 inches with 0.2025 inches wide Pro-vinyl© plastic (Black) rings used on each section of the joint for added strength.

At the joint between the jump handle and butt of the Lightning Bolt we added a set of 0.2025 inch wide Phenolic© Black rings, this is needed for added strength to keep the wood joint from off setting itself. This joint section is calibrated at 0.9745 in diameter.

The butt cap diameter is 1.1605 inches and 0.405 inches height. We additionally use a Pro-vinyl® black plastic ring.

We use aluminum radial joint pins made by the Uni-Loc Corp. for each of the two joint sections

To add additional strength to the basswood we drilled 0.5 inches width into the center of the lengthwise sections of the butt and jump handle. Then inserted stronger maple dowels rods, over-all length of the dowel rod inserts are 2.75 inches length and 0.5 inches in width.

The bored out holes in the basswood are 3 inches in depth.

Last, we counter bore the maple dowels 1.0625 inches for inserting the radial pins. 

1. Using the Lightning bolt cue any player from a first time player or basic beginner is able to break a rack of billiard balls equally as well as the most advanced amateur or top level professional player.
 2. With a Lightning bolt cue all a player has to do is stroke the cue ball, just like any other normal billiards shot, using minimal body force. The superior performance of the cue generates the necessary energy transfer from the cue to the cue ball to bust out the rack of balls. Everyone, who follows this simple direction, is able to break a rack of billiards balls better and more consistently than ever before.
 3. Jumping a cue ball over blocking object balls, until now, has been one of the hardest billiards shots for any player to learn. This shot has been reserved to those few players willing to commit to hours of practice to develop the technique needed to accomplish one of the hardest billiards shots on the table.
 4. The Lightning Bolt jump/break cue jumps balls easier than any other cue ever. No hours of practice, no technique to develop. Jumping with the Lightning Bolt jump/break cue is as simple as making a smooth follow-through billiards stroke.
 5. The energy transfer is so quick the cue pops the cue ball up and over object balls with minimal skill and effort.
 6. Almost everyone who has tried the Lightning Bolt is able to jump the cue ball within 1 to 6 tries, it's that easy. 